Wednesday, November 2, 2016

Book Recommendation: The Creedal Imperative by. Carl R. Trueman

Product Details

The Creedal Imperative by Carl R. Trueman (Crossway, 2012).

The mantra for many within new evangelical circles for years has been something like this: "We have no creed but the Bible."  What this usually means is that they don't want be bound down or held accountable for believing a doctrinal statement.  Churches, Seminary, and a multitude of para-church ministries have to deal with these types of issues involving their employees and/or staff.  They represent something or actually believe something and actually have the audacity to expect their staff (which they pay) to agree with their doctrinal views.  Complicate this matter even more with big name evangelicals calling it "sinful" to have doctrinal views or to actually place expectations upon church members.

Sadly, many who profess the name of Christ do not want to be held accountable.  Worst case for these people is to hold them to any forms of historical standards whether creed or confession.  How many questions during a discussion or during a Sunday School class could be avoided if people were simply taught the simple beliefs of the church.

Do this on a simple level like the Nicene or Apostles creed.  Basic concepts to be taught.  Talk through the differences where local churches do not agree.  Look at where church history has spoken and where denominational lines have been drawn.  And it does no one a great service to pretend there are not differences or to think that many of these differences don't matter.

I do not endorse all the beliefs of the author but for this book in its specific application to church creeds and confessions I recommend it.  Teach your children before someone else does.

Comments of course as always encouraged.

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